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You are here: Home / Condiments / Southwest Dressing Recipe

Southwest Dressing Recipe

May 26, 2015 By Joe 142 Comments

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Post updated March 15, 2022

This is my take on Newman’s Own Southwest Dressing Recipe. Just like McDonald’s southwest salad dressing you can make at home. It’s a tangy blend of spices combined to make a great salad.

Overhead view of a southwest salad with homemade southwestern dressing.

On our way back to Minnesota from Florida, MaryJo and I make some quick stops for lunch.  My favorite quick stop is McDonald’s to get a Southwest salad with grilled chicken.  

McDonald’s is at every other interchange and you know what you are getting when you buy there.

I don’t know if you are familiar with this, but it is a big salad with greens, cilantro, corn, black beans, grated cheddar cheese, topped with spicy tortilla chips with a packet of Newman’s Own Southwest Restaurant Dressing.  

It is a really delicious, low-calorie lunch which really hits the spot.  

Thing is, Newman’s Own Southwest Dressing is not sold in stores.  Bummer!  The Southwest Dressing Recipe is a total secret and you can’t buy it.

Developing the Southwest Salad Dressing Recipe

While we were at one of the McDonald’s stops I told MaryJo that I should try to duplicate the recipe for the Southwest Dressing, so I took a picture of the ingredient label.  Logical first step.

There were things like corn syrup solids, corn vinegar, cornstarch, whey, and sour cream powder.  Curious ingredients.  I’m sure that if you are Paul Newman you could call up friends and have this stuff delivered to your front step!  No problem.

Well, I am Joe and not Paul and have no idea what this stuff is.  So I experiment.

One of the ingredients is egg yolks mixed with soybean oil and cider vinegar.  The egg yolks make the oil and vinegar mix together to make an emulsion that will not separate, (the old oil and water thing).  

Well, I throw this together and added the spices I thought were in the dressing and made a pretty good likeness to the original, (not really).  Then I make another blend.  Not quite right.

Overhead view of salad dressing being stired with a whisk.

By then I’m thinking that if I come up with a copycat recipe, it would contain uncooked eggs.  That could mean…Salmonella city!

Mixing bowl with ingredients for the salad dressing.

I went back to the store and bought pasteurized eggs.  Turns out they are hard to separate, yolks and whites, but I got the job done.  I then tried another spice blend and I was not close again.

The Solution…Use Mayonnaise!

MaryJo sensed my frustration and suggested that I use already processed oil, water, and eggs which makes…Mayonnaise.  I thought. okay, I give up. Bring on the Hellman’s.

3 small bowls of southwest dressing recipe tests.

So, with a new sense of purpose and determination, I tried at least 5 more spice blends which required MaryJo to go to the store once and for me to go to the store once more, for spices that we would try and to get more sour cream since I used all that we had.

Finally, I found a blend of spices that worked and my Southwestern Dressing Recipe is pretty close to Paul’s.  He must have spent a lot of time perfecting these recipes!  His is exceptional but mine is dang good.

McDonald's southwest salad in a plastic bowl.

You can’t buy his dressing except at McDonald’s, or you can make your own which is nearly as good.  

My recipe makes enough for two salads, but if you enjoy this southwest dressing recipe, feel free to double or triple the ingredients.  It should store in the refrigerator for two or three weeks.

This recipe post was updated on December 9, 2021, and McDonald’s has discontinued making the Southwest salad. They also stopped selling salads in 2020 presumably because they were not that popular.

According to McDonald’s.com, they have Chicken Caesar Salad, Garden Salad, and Garden Salad with Crispy Chicken. According to my local restaurant, they don’t offer salads anymore.

I thought that it might be Covid that made them stop selling salads. This article from “Eat This, Not That” gives another explanation, which for a fast-food restaurant, makes sense.

They had to buy 2 different kinds of lettuce…one for sandwiches and one for salads. 

Southwest salad in a pink bowl ready to eat.

So give my Southwest Dressing Recipe a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

Hey. Did you make this recipe? Let me know how you liked it in the comments below. Take a photo of your creation and post it on your Instagram…tag @joeshealthymeals  so I can take a look.

And here are a few more tasty recipes to try:

  • Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad
  • Caramelized Onion Crostini with Mushrooms
  • Jalapeno Potatoes au Gratin
  • Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes
  • Smoked Salmon Appetizer with Arugula
  • Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
southwest dressing recipe

Southwest Dressing Recipe

Tangy Southwest dressing just like Newman's Own from McDonald's. Not available in stores...make your own!
4.70 from 69 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: McDonald's southwest dressing, Newman's Own southwest dressing, southwest dressing recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 - 1 1/4 fl. oz. servings
Calories: 134kcal
Author: Joe Boyle

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp sour cream
  • 2 tsp light Karo syrup (agave or honey as substitutes)
  • 1 tsp water (or more to thin)
  • 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried cilantro
  • 1 tsp McCormick hot mexican style chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

Salad

  • Romaine lettuce
  • cilantro
  • red onion
  • corn
  • black beans
  • grape tomatoes
  • thin sliced carrot
  • grated cheddar cheese
  • Mrs. Cubbison's southwest flavor tortilla strips ,
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Dressing

  • Whisk ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.
  • Place into an air-tight container and refrigerate to store.

Salad

  • Assemble the salad to your liking and top with the dressing.

Notes

  1. The salad ingredient proportions are up to you. Corn and beans are a must. I added red onion because I like it. If you can't find the tortilla strips, (near salad croutons in the store), you could substitute spicy Dorito chips.
  2. This recipe makes 4 1/2 tbsp or approximately 2,  1 1/4 fl. oz. servings.
  3. To adjust the recipe to make a larger batch, click on the "2" in the servings in the header above and use the slider to increase the serving size.
  4. Nutrition information is for 1 serving of the salad dressing. Not the salad ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal
 

Southwestern salad dressing recipe collage for Pinterest.

 

If you liked the Southwest dressing recipe, maybe you would like my Strawberry Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Strawberry salad with homemade poppy seed dressing.

southwest dressing recipe. Southwest dressing recipe just like Newman's Own from McDonald's! This recipe tastes sooo good! | joeshealthymeals.com
Southwest salad...Copycat recipe for McDonald's southwest dressing.
Perfect copycat recipe for McDonald's southwest dressing.
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Filed Under: Condiments, Salads, Sauces

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Beth

    June 16, 2020 at 11:12 pm

    Absolutely delicious! Adding this to my “regulars” as a go-to dressing for a quick and easy salad!

    Reply
  2. Vicki

    May 30, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    I made this with yogurt instead of sour cream and substituted honey and it was amazing! Thanks so much for the great recipe! Kids loved it too.

    Reply
  3. Ashley van den Boogaard

    May 6, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! Exactly what I have been looking for. I like my taco salad dressing a little sweet and tangy and this was perfection!

    Reply
    • Joe

      May 6, 2020 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you Ashley.

      Reply
      • Yuki

        July 14, 2020 at 7:13 pm

        Hello, how long can this last in refrigerator after I make it? Thanks!

        Reply
        • Joe

          July 14, 2020 at 8:23 pm

          Yuki, it should be good for 2 or 3 weeks if it is kept in a tightly sealed container, but I’ll bet you would use it up before that time.

          Reply
  4. Grace

    April 20, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    5 stars
    Turned out great! Also used as a dressing for pre-shredded, bagged coleslaw, and added beans, corn and cheese…. didn’t have lime juice, so subbed lemon juice, and that was fine too.

    Reply
    • Joe

      April 20, 2020 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks for the nice comment Grace.

      Reply
  5. May

    April 18, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    I never have all the right ingredients, but still have to eat! I substituted plain greek yogurt for sour cream, jalapeño powder for cayenne, dried dill for cilantro. I’m not familiar with McCormick powder, so used my Spice House chili con carne spice. The dressing was great drizzled on steak & avocado salad, as well as nachos. Thank you for the recipe, and please forgive all the substitutions!

    Reply
    • Joe

      April 18, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      Hi May. In these trying times we have to improvise as best we can. Your combination sounds great. Thanks for coming to my site.

      Reply
  6. Jami

    March 20, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    5 stars
    I only made the dressing but it was really good! Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Josie

    January 31, 2020 at 7:20 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious dressing! I’ve never actually had Newman’s Own Southwest Dressing lol…but avocados are in season and a salad sounded really good, so here we are. I made a double batch just to make sure my husband and I had enough dressing for two big dinner salads. I used half the corn syrup and I think it’s sweet enough for me. Also only used half the cayenne pepper and it’s got a good kick but I wouldn’t want it spicier. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  8. Mary

    November 16, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    I am Canadian so there are no Southwest salads at Canadian McDonalds????????????????
    I have made your dressing many times in many quantities and am asked to bring it to group events all the time. Thank you for doing all the experimenting! Not sure I would have that much patience!

    Reply
    • Joe

      November 16, 2019 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks Mary. I’m humbled by your comment.

      Reply
  9. Angie

    September 6, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    5 stars
    I cannot thank you enough! For years I was so disappointed that I couldn’t actually buy this which is one of my all time favorite dressings. I just made it. PERFECT! Thank you so much kind sir!

    Reply
    • Joe

      September 7, 2019 at 12:13 am

      Thanks Angie.

      Reply
  10. Alberta Corey

    July 8, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious, and thanks for sharing. Easy to make and was spot on with the taste. This recipe is a keeper.

    Reply
    • Joe

      July 8, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      Thanks Alberta…glad you like it.

      Reply
  11. LaDonna

    July 7, 2019 at 5:22 pm

    Wow you really did get that spice thing down. Brilliant recipe! Will use it often.

    Reply
    • Joe

      July 7, 2019 at 6:45 pm

      Thanks LaDonna!

      Reply
  12. Ed

    June 30, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    5 stars
    Making it yourself you can tailor to your tastes. It is as good as Mr. Newman’s. I’m used agave, fresh cilantro and Kewpie mayonnaise. This recipe is a great discovery. Thanks for publishing it.

    Reply
    • Joe

      June 30, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks for finding my recipe Ed, and thanks for the nice comment. It’s very appreciated.

      Reply
  13. Denise

    May 31, 2019 at 11:51 am

    Thank you for all your hard work and sharing! This is delicious!

    Reply
    • Joe

      May 31, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks Denise!

      Reply
  14. Angie

    May 27, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    5 stars
    I love the southwestern salad at McDonald’s. It’s the Only thing I eat from there. I hate that we can’t buy the dressing in the store.
    Thanks for sharing. I do hate onions, so I’ll leave them out. ????

    Reply
    • Joe

      May 27, 2019 at 10:19 pm

      Hope you like the dressing Angie.

      Reply
  15. Lilia

    October 30, 2018 at 2:33 am

    4 stars
    I’ve never tasted Paul Newman’s but this was very good. I always regret adding sweetener to a recipe so I didn’t use it and it was fine. I subbed the sour cream for plain greek yogurt as that’s what I had on hand. I added a little bit of salt.

    Reply
  16. Dawn

    August 6, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you! My 14 year old daughter loves this salad and knows I only make our salad dressings from scratch, so she searched and found this recipe. Big hit in our house. A keeper!

    Reply
    • Joe

      August 6, 2018 at 7:39 pm

      Thanks for the nice comment Dawn.

      Reply
  17. Christine Eastman

    July 30, 2018 at 8:40 pm

    Just made your salad dressing. I didn’t have sour cream so i melted cream cheese in its stead. I used half fresh and half dried cilantro. It came out fantastic!! I love the Paul Newman’s now i can make it at home thanks to you!! It is delicious. Thanks again for your recipe.

    Reply
    • Joe

      July 30, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      Thanks for the comment Christine. Glad you like it.

      Reply
  18. Beth

    June 14, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    I can’t wait to try this! I’m also wondering if you’ve attempted the other sauce that’s already in the salad before adding dressing. It’s kind of a clearish color. And the corn/bean mixture seems to have some kind of sauce with it too. All I know is that salad has SO MUCH FLAVOR. I’m going to start working on building this salad at home, for sure. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Sandy H.

    June 4, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for making me a hero at dinner tonight! We loved this dressing. I topped the salad with cilantro lime marinated chicken. This is a real keeper! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Joe

      June 4, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks for the comment Sandy. Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  20. Jayme

    April 23, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    Absolutely awesome recipe! Thanks!! I added a little bit of smoked paprika. Yum!!!!

    Reply
    • Joe

      April 23, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks Jayme. Glad you liked it.

      Reply
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